Principal/Superintendent

Mr. Philip Thiede

Treasurer

Mrs. Betty Schwiefert

Board Of Education Members

Mrs. Cindy Herndon

Mrs. Natasha Makarova-Skeans

Mrs. Deb Haig

Mrs. Jodie Smith

Mr. Thomas Beck

Staff

Ms. Angela Green

(Elementary Instructor)

Mrs. Bonnie Shoff

(Art Teacher)

Mrs. Vicki VanNess (Guidance)

Mr. Gene Kidwell

(Director of Curriculum)

Mrs. Janice Kraus

(Tech Coordinator)

Mrs. Lori Hoffman

(Elementary tutor)

Mrs. Beth Lesch

(Phyiscal Education)

Mrs. Coralee Wisniewski

(Music Education)

Hannah Kulka

(High School Instructor)

Mr. Joe Joyce (Custodian)

Jackie Taylor

(Field Station Director)

Kelleys Island Field Guide

WHERE THE NATURAL

WORLD BECOMES YOUR

CLASSROOM

The Kelleys Island Field

Station promotes and

supports education by

providing a distinctive

learning and research

environment for

elementary students to

adults.

Nature Camp For the First Time we are partnering

with the

Kelleys Island Audubon Society, Lake

Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center,

and the Kelleys Island School for a

week of Nature Camp!

The 2019 Nature Camp Theme is “Scales

& Slime” (Reptiles and Amphibians). We

will enjoy searching for snakes, turtles,

salamanders, frogs, and toads. We will

visit aquatic habitats in search of our

amphibian friends, as well as sunny spots

where reptiles may be found. We will

meet the resident reptiles that call OSU’s

Stone Laboratory home and learn about

their unique adaptations that enable

them to survive.

DATES: July 29– August 1- Ages 4-10

July 22-25- Ages 11-14

Ages 9-14 campout one night and

kayak!

Kell

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Kell

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Dear Friends of Wildlife,

It’s spring and, on Kelleys Island like most of the U.S. it is wildlife

maternity season. Each year, Ohio Department of Natural Resources

(ODNR) officials offer this simple advice, enjoy wildlife from a distance

and leave young animals in the wild. Many adult wild animals will

leave their young offspring alone while they forage for food, or to

divert the attention of potential predators away from the more

vulnerable young. When young animals are discovered with no adults

in sight, the adult is often nearby waiting for people to leave the area

before they retrieve their young. Most wild animals are raised by only

one adult or are not tended to during the daylight hours. It is

important to leave animals in the wild. State and federal laws protect

and regulate wildlife and endangered species in Ohio. Only licensed

wildlife rehabilitators, working under special permits issued by the

ODNR Division of Wildlife, may possess and care for native wild

animals. These laws are in place for the benefit of humans as well as

wild animals. Educate children to respect wildlife and their habitat,

observing wildlife from a distance. Contact your local wildlife official

before taking action. Call 1-800-WILDLIFE or visit wildohio.com to be

connected with the proper individuals. Or call Back to the Wild (rehab

center) 419-684-9539.

HAPPY SPRING,

Jackie Taylor Field Station Director

Nature Camp 2019 The Kelleys Island Field Station, the Kelleys Island Audubon

Society, and the Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center is

partnering to bring a week of Nature Camp to Kelleys Island! The

Nature Camp Mission is to encourage children’s natural curiosity of

the outdoors by engaging them in fun and educational activities.

The Nature Camp programs are designed to focus on a new themed

topic each year related to

the Lake Erie Island’s

ecology for fun hands-on

experiences. Each camp is

split into appropriate age

groups: Intro to Nature

Camp age 4, My 1st

Nature Camp ages 5 and

6, Nature Camp ages 7

and 8, Environmental

Adventure Camp I. ages 9 and 10, and Environmental

Adventure Camp II. ages 11-14. The Environmental

Adventure Camps get to campout and kayak, for some campers this is the first time ever sleeping in

a tent or kayaking with new friends.

The 2019 Nature Camp Theme is “Scales & Slime” (Reptiles and Amphibians). We will enjoy

searching for snakes, turtles, salamanders, frogs, and toads. We will visit aquatic habitats in search of

our amphibian friends, as well as sunny spots where reptiles may be found. We will meet the resident

reptiles that call OSU’s Stone Laboratory home and learn about their unique adaptations that enable

them to survive.

TIMES & DATES

July 29-31

Intro to Nature Camp 4 years old 9-9:45

My 1st Nature Camp 5 and 6 years old 10:30-11:30

July 29- August 1

Nature Camp 7 and 8 years old 12:30-2

Environmental Adventure Camp I. 9 and 10 years old 2:30-4:30

*Campout at Kelleys Island State Park one night

July 22-25 (PIB, MBI, and KI Campers)

Environmental Adventure Camp II. 11-14 years old TBA

*Campout at Kelleys Island one night

To sign up for Nature Camp you can visit our website at Kelleys.k12.oh.us and download the Nature Camp

Registration Form (on Page xx of this newsletter).

Or contact Jackie Taylor at jtaylor@kelleys.k12.oh.us for questions.

The Monarch Butterfly- Danaus plexippus By Jackie Taylor Monarchs are native to North and South America, but they dispersed to other parts of the world around the mid

1800’s. They were first seen in Hawaii in the 1840’s, and had spread throughout the South Pacific by the 1860’s. About ten

years later the first monarchs were reported in Australia and New Zealand (See Monarch Distribution Map).

As the last Ice Age receded 20,000 years

ago the populations in southern USA and north-

ern Mexico grew, as did their range, and the

length of the annual migration. This was the re-

sult of melting glaciers, newly uncovered habitat,

and colonization of that habitat by milkweed. To-

day the North American monarchs fly up to 3,000

miles, migrating from southern Canada to central

Mexico in the fall, and their grandchildren return-

ing to Canada in the spring (See Monarch Spring

and Fall Migration Map Below).

The migration is a central part of their lifecycle, which is com-

plicated... Monarchs emerge and hatch throughout the year and dif-

ferent generations have specific behaviors that are tailored to accom-

plish specific goals so they can succeed as a species. The monarchs

emerging in the spring and summer become reproductive within a

few days, whereas the monarchs emerging in the fall go into a state

of suspended development of the reproductive organs called repro-

ductive diapause. This is all controlled by the nervous system and hor-

mones.

When the late summer/early fall generation emerges they are

physically and behaviorally different from the summer/breeding gen-

erations. They are focused on migrating, rather than mating. This is

triggered by shortening day length, lowered temperatures, and the

dying host plants. These cues act to let the Monarchs know it is time

to migrate south to central Mexico. This generation will fly all the way south to Mexico, and spend their winter roosting in

trees at a very few specific sites in Mexico and southern California. Around mid-March, as the days become longer and

warmer the monarchs will become more active and begin a 3-5 week period of intense mating activity. After this, they

leave their roosts in Mexico and fly north looking for milkweed plants on which to lay their eggs on.

Monarchs once were abundant enough to need a large area for over wintering. Only twenty years ago the but-

terflies covered 18 hectares, or 50 acres. More recently, the population fell to the point that they only used 0.67 hectares

(1.65 acres) in the Mexican forest during the winter of 2013-14- the worst winter roost recorded to date. (See the Graph:

Monarch Colonies at Overwintering Sites in Mexico). According to Chip Taylor (Founder of Monarch Watch.org) “the

monarch population has been better this year (2019) than for any year since 2001”.

To forecast what might happen this summer and fall for the butterflies on the Lake Erie Islands we have to know

what happens during March and April in the Southern Re-

gions and then what happens in May as the first generation

moves northward. Timing and numbers are critical for us to

understand if the population will grow or decline. This is all

dependent on good weather and plenty of habitat/food. The

first bit of good news is research shows we will have the high-

est numbers for this breeding season since Journey North

started keeping records in 2000. The second good news is we

have more people aware of the decline in the monarch popu-

lation and therefore we are “bring back” the monarchs by

providing more habitat across Canada, the United States, and

Mexico. Article Continued on pg. x

Hectares

Years

Monarch Colonies at Overwintering Sites in Mexico

Kelleys Island Nature Camp

Registration Form 2019 PLEASE PRINT

Child’s Name______________________________________ Parents Name____________________________________

Birth Date _____________________________________ (Month/Day/Year-Check Age Requirements-Must be of Age by Camp Date)

Island Address-Include Dates This Address Should Be Used

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Home or Mailing Address-Include Dates This Address Should Be Used

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Island Phone_______________________________ Emergency Contact _______________________________________

E-Mail Address____________________________________________________________________________________

(X) Preferred Camp Session Dates: Times: NON-Islander Prices: ___ Intro to Nature Camp (4yrs.) July 29-31 9- 9:45AM $20.00

___ My 1st Nature Camp(5-6yrs.) July 29-31 10:30-11:30AM $30.00

___ Nature Camp (7-8yrs.) July 29-Aug.1 12:30-2PM $30.00

___ Environmental Adventure Camp I (9-10yrs.) July 29-Aug.1 2:30-4:30PM $40.00

CAMPOUT AT THE KELLEYS ISLAND STATE PARK ~ DROP OFF- 4PM 7/31 ~ PICK UP 12PM 8/1

___ Environmental Adventure Camp II (11-14yrs.) July 22-25 TBA $50.00

CAMPOUT AT THE KELLEYS ISLAND STATE PARK DATE & TIMES TBA

Briefly describe any allergies, special medical condition, required medication or any other physical limitations your child has.

A more detailed medical form will be sent with the confirmation letter

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

For 9 and older- Environmental Adventure Camp-Please Describe Child’s Swimming Ability ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

You have my permission to use photos of my child participating in Nature Camp. NO NAME will be used with online photos of Nature Camp.

___ Kelleys Island Life ____ Kelleys Island School Website ____ Facebook ____ Kelleys School Newsletter

Make checks to Kelleys Island School. Mail to Nature Camp Program PO Box 349 KELLEYS ISLAND, OHIO 43438

Permission Form

I fully understand that the nature of recreational and educational activities associated with Nature Camp includes an inher-ent risk of danger, which may result in personal injury or harm to my child. I grant permission for my child to participate in the program and activities of Nature Camp at the Bay, and I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Kelleys Island School

and Field Station, its staff, directors, employees, Agents and/or representatives from any claim for any injury or damage which may result from my child’s attendance at and participation in the Nature Camp at the Bay. I authorize emergency

medical treatment if none of the above-named emergency contact persons can be reached at the time of an emergency.

Signature of Parent/Guardian ________________________________________Date_______________________________________

Through our outreach and education pro-

grams, events, and talks we are able to spread the

importance of monarchs and how to help them by

providing up-close and often hands-on interactive

experiences. This year we will have several opportu-

nities for the community and visitors to do so. We

will be at the Kelleys Island Homecoming on August

10, Science Saturdays at the State Park on August 31

to kick-off the Monarch Migration and Tagging sea-

son, and much more!

By creating our pollinator habitat at the

school we hope to not only provide a safe place for

these animals, but also promote the health of all

pollinators through conservation, education, and

research. We have been collecting a variety of data to help understand migration routes, survival rates, and, conservation

efforts. The picture above is of recovered tags in Mexico, two of them are tags from the Lake Erie Islands.

Science Saturdays May 25– August 31 Every Saturday 11am-1pm Science Saturdays is a partnership between Kelleys Island State Park and the

Kelleys Island Field Station. This is a weekly series of events that features in-

teractive exploration centered around a particular topic. Families and learners

of all ages are invited to explore hands-on science fun during this free drop-

in event.

We have been busy planning Science Saturdays over the winter, below are a

few of our many experts who will be joining us this summer. We will make

sure to post the full schedule soon!

Dr. Doug Kane, Plankton

Professor of Biology, Defiance

College & Stone Laboratory

Melissa Bauman, Salamanders

Erie Metro Parks

Dr. Kristin Stanford, Snakes

OSU Stone Laboratory

Judy Semroc & Larry Rosche, Dragon & Damselflies

Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Jay Reynolds, Sun and Stars

Cleveland State University

Sarah Orlando, Clean Marinas &

Kayak Beach Clean-up!

Ohio Sea Grant & Clean Marina

Program

Jill Bartolotta Clean, Marianas

& Kayak Beach Clean up!-

Extension Educator, Ohio Sea

Grant

Jackie Taylor, Monarch

Butterflies

Kelleys Island Field Station

Kelleys Island Pollinators & Partnerships The Mission is to Promote the Health of Pollinators Critical to the Lake Ere Island’s Ecosystems. Through

Conservation, Education, and Research.

At the Kelleys Island School we are excited for spring to arrive, what was once a patch of grass will become a new home

for many insects, small mammals, birds, and reptiles. Over the winter seed has been laid on the small .15 acre plot of

plants that are native to Kelleys Island. By doing this we will create a pollinator garden for everyone to enjoy. This new

habitat will be used for outreach and education, research, and much more. Below is a list of the partners who have helped

with this project and the list of plants we have planted. If you are interested in learning more contact Chris Ashley at xxx

or Jackie Taylor at xxx. We will make sure to keep everyone posted on all of our progress this year!

Partners

Kelleys Island School, Kelleys Island Field Station, Kelleys Island State Park. Pheasants Forever,

The Ohio State University’s Stone Laboratory, The Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildife Center,

The Lake Erie Islands Conservancy, The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, The Ohio Division of Wildlife,

U.S Fish and Wildlife, Pollinator Partnership, Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative

PLANT LIST

Common Name Genus Species

Common Yarrow Achillea millefolium L.

Nodding Onion Allium cernuum Roth

Milkweed (commom) Asclepias syriaca

Milkweed (Butterfly) Asclepias tuberosa L.

Milkweed (swamp) Asclepias incarnata L.

Aster (New England) Aster novae-angliae

Nodding Bur Marigold Bidens cernua L.

Beggartick Bidens frondosa L.

Boneset (common) Eupatorium perfoliatum L.

Flat top Goldentop Euthamia graminifolia

Blazing Star Liatris spicata

Bergamont Monarda fistulosa

Hairy Beardtongue Penstemon hirsutus

Coneflower (grey headed) Ratibida pinnata

Black-eyed susan Rudbeckia hirta

Goldenrod Solidago nemoralis Ait.

Goldenrod Solidago ulmifolia Muhl.

Goldenrod (canada) Solidago canadensis

Aster (Shorts american) Symphyotrichums hortii

Aster (Frost) Symphyotrichum pilosum

Blue Verbain Verbena simplex Lehm.

Ironweed (tall) Vernonia altissima

Golden Alexander Zizia aurea

Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii Vitman

Sideoats Gramma Bouteloua curtipendula

Rye (Nodding wild) Elymus canadensis

Bird Banding USGS.org The Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL) is an integrated scientific program established in 1920

supporting the collection, archiving, management and dissemination of information from

banded and marked birds in North America. This information is used to monitor the

status and trends of resident and migratory bird populations. Because birds are good

indicators of the health of the environment, the status and trends of bird populations are

critical for identifying and understanding many ecological issues and for developing

effective science, management and conservation practices.

The BBL, since 1923 and in collab-

oration with the Bird Banding

Office (BBO) of the Canadian

Wildlife Service, administer the

North American Bird Banding

Program (NABBP), which manages

more than 77 million archived

banding records and more than 5

million records of encounters. In

addition, each year approximately

1 million bands are shipped from

the BBL to banders in the United States and Canada, and nearly 100,000 band encounter

reports are submitted into the BBL systems.

Banding with Tom Tom Bartlett is a Master Bird Bander for the U. S. Geologic Survey and a certified bird

bander/trainer for the North American Banding Council. He has banded over 85,000

birds of 225 plus species, and over 15,000 birds on Kelleys Island alone. He has led bird

banding and census efforts at Springville Marsh State Nature Preserve for nearly 30 years

and the Lake Erie Islands for more than 20 years.

KELLEYS ISLAND SPRING BANDING DATES:

April 21 through April 26

May 19 through May 24

May 27 through May 31

All dates subject to change, cancellation, weather, or rainout. Call if in doubt!

Banding beginning ½ hour before sunrise and usually ends mid-afternoon.

AmeriCorps Intern AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs, made up of three

primary programs that each take a different approach to improving lives and

fostering civic engagement. Members commit their time to address critical

community needs like increasing academic achievement, mentoring youth,

fighting poverty, sustaining national parks, preparing for disasters, and more.

Meet Tyler!

Tyler McClain is studying environmental studies at University of Toledo. He

hopes to pursue a career as a naturalist at a State Park or a job related to that

field. He has been leading trips for three years at the Biggest Week in Birding.

He also volunteers at a bird banding station in Carey, Ohio and has been since

he was seven years old. In his free time he enjoys fishing, “herping” and taking

photos of anything from animals to landscapes. We are excited to have Tyler as

our AmeriCorps Intern and on our team this summer at the Field Station, he

will be a nice asset to our programs and events!